Senior Manager, Operations Programs

Regal Rexnord•Downers Grove, IL

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Operations Programs leads cross-functional operational programs that improve manufacturing performance, execution discipline, and business growth across the Linear Motion Division (LMD). The role partners with manufacturing sites and leaders in Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Product Management, Corporate Real Estate, Advanced Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to translate strategy into executable plans, milestones, metrics, and sustained results. The position covers safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, capacity, customer performance, facility optimization, automation, and growth. It manages capital expenditure planning and execution, facility lease programs, annual productivity plans, operational project governance, and cross-site initiatives. It also supports capacity planning, footprint optimization, new product introduction readiness, make-versus-buy analysis, ERP implementation, automation, and continuous improvement. The role may occasionally provide interim support for Plant Managers or Operations Managers and coaches project leaders, functional managers, and site teams. The role may be performed remotely from an approved location, with flexibility based on business needs and applicable requirements. Travel of up to 50% domestically and internationally is required. The position reports to the Senior Director of Operations. Expected annual salary is $140,000–$160,000, depending on factors including worksite location, skills, experience, education, and internal compensation comparisons. Candidates may need to qualify as a U.S. Person under applicable federal export-control restrictions to access or handle controlled data.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 8 years of experience in manufacturing operations, program management, supply chain, engineering, operational excellence, or capital project execution.
At least 3 years leading cross-functional programs, teams, or transformation initiatives in a matrix organization.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-site programs involving multiple functions, stakeholders, and priorities.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, capital planning, production planning, quality systems, supply chain, facility planning, automation, and financial performance drivers.
Experience with Lean, RBS or similar continuous-improvement systems, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, 5S, Kaizen, Visual Daily Management, and standard work.
Experience developing business cases, program justifications, productivity plans, savings roadmaps, and executive-level reporting.
Strong analytical, verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to translate data and complex issues into clear recommendations.
International experience and ability to work across cultures, geographies, and global manufacturing environments.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally.
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to access and handle ITAR and other government-controlled data, where required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Familiarity with ERP implementation, manufacturing systems, project management tools, business intelligence, and operational dashboards.
PMP, Lean Six Sigma, APICS, or similar certification.

Responsibilities

Lead LMD operational programs covering safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, capacity, customer performance, facility optimization, automation, and growth.
Manage capital expenditure planning, budgeting, allocation, approvals, justification, execution, and tracking with sites and functions.
Manage facility lease programs with Corporate Real Estate, aligning operational needs, footprint strategy, and financial commitments.
Translate LMD strategy, economic trends, and market expectations into plans for product placement optimization, supply chain rationalization, operational scalability, and SCOFOR execution.
Lead SCOFOR execution directly or through project managers reporting to other functional leaders.
Serve as LMD liaison to AMC’s Advanced Manufacturing group on technology roadmaps, automation opportunities, and manufacturing capability development.
Develop a standardized LMD Operations project management framework for savings, product line moves, new product startups, capacity projects, and cross-site execution.
Own and facilitate annual productivity plan development, savings pipeline tracking, reporting, and escalation of execution gaps.
Develop technology benchmark and feasibility studies with RRX operating units and LMD plants.
Identify automation opportunities using the 80/20 principle and partner with site manufacturing leaders on business cases, plans, and implementation.
Participate in RBS activities, including Kaizens, 5S, product line simplification, Visual Daily Management, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
Lead or support ERP implementation projects, including stakeholder alignment, milestones, risks, readiness, and change management.
Support capacity planning, footprint optimization, NPI readiness, make-versus-buy analysis, and operational scalability.
Establish governance routines, action tracking, escalation processes, risk registers, dashboards, and senior leadership updates.
Occasionally provide interim support for Plant Managers or Operations Managers as needed.
Coach and influence project leaders, functional managers, and site teams to strengthen execution capability.